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Arsenal ready to sell talented attacker to Premier League rival

By Rucker Haringey

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Arsenal players Per Mertesacker, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Dany Welbeck pose during the Emirates Kids Clinic with Arsenal FC at Sydney University on July 12, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for Emirates)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Arsenal players Per Mertesacker, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Dany Welbeck pose during the Emirates Kids Clinic with Arsenal FC at Sydney University on July 12, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for Emirates) /
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Arsenal are ready to part with Theo Walcott

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil might not be the only attacking players leaving Arsenal in January. Arsene Wenger and company are also prepared to cut ties with long-time Gunners star Theo Walcott.

Reports from England claim that Southampton, Inter Milan, West Ham and Everton are all interested in the fleet-footed attacker. Mauricio Pellegrino’s club appears to have the early edge on finalizing a deal to bring Walcott to the South Coast.

That shouldn’t be a big surprise given the club’s need to add offensive firepower. The Saints have only managed a meager five goals in their opening seven Premier League matches. Adding a player like Walcott would give the club a new focal point for their attack.

What is rather surprising, is the relatively modest transfer fee Wenger seems to be looking for in exchange for Walcott. Allegedly, the Gunners are ready to sell for a transfer fee of somewhere between £12 and £15 million pounds. Given the insanity of prices in the transfer market this summer, that would represent quite a bargain for Southampton.

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The real question for Arsenal is just how far they will go to reshape their squad in January. The risk of losing Alexis and Ozil for nothing means the club may feel real pressure to part with them in the winter window. Walcott has another year on his deal. Wenger shouldn’t be in nearly such a rush to part with him.

Still, it’s expected that the Gunners will want to try to rebuild on the fly. That means Wenger will be empowered to spend big money this January as he watches several big stars leave North London. Selling Walcott might help Wenger create funds and room to bring a new wave of attacking talent into the club.

Next: Jack Wilshere is working his way back into the Arsenal squad

No matter what, you can be quite confident that significant changes are afoot at Arsenal. Theo Walcott might not be the biggest name to leave this year, but he could be one of the first players to go.

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